PRAYER MATTERS
Hebrews 10.24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Community is important in our lives, wouldn’t you say? God talks about why He created us - to worship Him, and to do so in a community of fellow believers. Jesus talks about (and walked the talk with His disciples) how we need each other to grow in our faith, be accountable in our beliefs, and to pray with and for one another. When we read about Heaven, we are drawn to the community – angels, cloud of witnesses - that the scriptures describe.
On Christmas Eve I got to spend time with a couple I haven’t seen in over a year. We’ve spoken on the phone a handful of times and when we saw each other at the Candles and Carols service we picked up right as if no time had passed. They have been home because of health issues. Deacons visit with them; they have a supportive family. But they miss church. They miss worship on Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary. They miss singing hymns led by our choir. They miss coffee in the Garden Room.
After the Christmas eve service, we were in the Garden Room and this couple was having a wonderful time catching up with friends. A table full of people who haven’t been to church (in person) at Grace for a long time – catching up, sharing stories, laughing. I walked my friends to their car, and we spent another 20 minutes talking. They didn’t want the night to end. Their connection to their church family was being strengthened in the course of multiple conversations that one evening. I know they’ll be back as their bodies heal and allow. And I also know God filled their love tank that night. He gave them a Christmas present that will most definitely last for many months to come – connection.
Ericka
Hebrews 10.24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Community is important in our lives, wouldn’t you say? God talks about why He created us - to worship Him, and to do so in a community of fellow believers. Jesus talks about (and walked the talk with His disciples) how we need each other to grow in our faith, be accountable in our beliefs, and to pray with and for one another. When we read about Heaven, we are drawn to the community – angels, cloud of witnesses - that the scriptures describe.
On Christmas Eve I got to spend time with a couple I haven’t seen in over a year. We’ve spoken on the phone a handful of times and when we saw each other at the Candles and Carols service we picked up right as if no time had passed. They have been home because of health issues. Deacons visit with them; they have a supportive family. But they miss church. They miss worship on Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary. They miss singing hymns led by our choir. They miss coffee in the Garden Room.
After the Christmas eve service, we were in the Garden Room and this couple was having a wonderful time catching up with friends. A table full of people who haven’t been to church (in person) at Grace for a long time – catching up, sharing stories, laughing. I walked my friends to their car, and we spent another 20 minutes talking. They didn’t want the night to end. Their connection to their church family was being strengthened in the course of multiple conversations that one evening. I know they’ll be back as their bodies heal and allow. And I also know God filled their love tank that night. He gave them a Christmas present that will most definitely last for many months to come – connection.
Ericka
from the week of january 6
Praises
- Praise God for a good family time and celebration of life.
- Thank You, Lord, for another wonderful year and that we can tackle this year together. I am grateful for Your guidance and knowledge of better things. Thank You for being with me through all my hard times and helping me to embrace things to come.
- Thank You, God, for Your faithfulness and mercy. I praise You for Your magnificence and love.
- A new year, a new beginning. Grateful for God’s love.
- We are thankful for nice holidays!
- T praises the Lord again and again!
- Thank You, Lord, for this new year. Blessings to our pastor, church family and to our staff.
- Praise for hope in Christ, regardless of the circumstances of the world. He is the hope of all people, everywhere.
- Praise the Lord!
- Hallelujah 2025 is here!
- Praise the Lord, J got a better job!
- I praise You, God, for Your steadfast love, comfort, grace, and forgiveness, You are ever present.
- Thanks God for the sunshine!
Prayers
- Please pray for J, my wife to be healed from any disease or ailments. Thank you, M
- Please pray for complete healing for my daughter J from brain injury also please pray for a breakthrough turn around in my family’s housing situation. Thank you.
- Healing prayers for B who has been feeling unwell and was diagnosed with kidney infection this morning. She asks for specific prayer that it does not turn to Sepsis again.
- Pray I can stay healthy and strong to help my brother navigate whatever is to come. He is already ill with asthma and COPD and now Stage 3 colorectal cancer surgery lies ahead if he is strong enough to survive the surgery and treatments.
- Please join A in asking God for a good life when she goes back to school this week. Protection from bullying, and for healthy friendships. She is a 5th grader.
- Prayers for my older brother D who is struggling with major health issues.
- Healing and clarity for L; hope and energy for S.
- The Lord’s healing and comfort for C.
- Prayers for D as he heals from rotator cuff surgery.
- Please pray for the K family and their loss of their son B. He was a good friend of our grandson, and it is such a big loss for so many.
- Prayers for L as she transitions into a new living facility.
- Please pray for safe travels and a successful surgery for L, comfort for both L and D.
- Please pray for F at Children’s, that he will recover. Prayers for the family.
- Prayers for families who have lost loved ones and for those healing from surgery God be with them.
- Grateful for the Christmas Eve service – it was wonderful! Thankful for online worship.
- Continued prayers for T - for his needs and wants.
- Please keep our friend L in prayer – her daughter C’s cancer has returned. May God’s will be done.
- Please pray for my daughter J to get the job of God’s choosing.
- B is grateful for everyone’s prayers and asks for continued prayer on her blood work – she is improving!
- Prayers for my son and his wife and their marriage.
- S has a court appearance to attempt to get an NCO. Please pray that this will go as God’s will dictates.
- Please pray for J as he prepares for his 2nd knee replacement surgery on January 17th. May it goes as well as the first.
- Please pray for the C family financial situation to change for good, for God’s glory in 2025.
- For the love of all that is good and holy, let my daughter find a job!
- Continued prayers for our son P who is back at Virginia Mason in Seattle.
- Prayers for family and friends of a young man who just passed away.
- My youngest granddaughter – that God to guard her heart.
- Pray for those heading home from the holidays – for safe travels.
- Please join us in praying we can sell our home. Thanking God for our new home close to family!
- Lord, help those with depression, please!
- Praying healing for V, her son J, and her beloved companion cat. You are the God of miracles.
- Prayers for E, her sister D, and their brother. God is at work in this family!
- Healing for D and may the Lord strengthen her as she prepares for surgery next week.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR OUR CHURCH OFFICERS:
ELDERS: Doug Bernd, Aaron Dalan, Michele Elledge, Ana Lucas-Garcia, Larry Hasen, Shane Merrill, Joe Park, Robin Stuber, and Dennis Whitcher; Clerk Jeff Arkills.
DEACONS: Brian and Stephanie Ahlgren, Patty Arkills, Jeanne Breeding, Todd and Terri Buchanan, Janet Doty, Dave Geho, Edith Figueroa-Gonzalez, Larry Handy, Todd Hunziker, Cal Jansen, Randy & Robbie Johnson, Ginger McIlvanie, Jean McKitrick, Jim & Marilyn Noel, Deb Russell, Jean Schiewe, Becky St. John, Peggy Steere, Bruce Whitmore, Diane Williams, and Kathy Zeigler.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Cathy Campbell, Janet Doty, Carla Kupp, Linda Mathews, and Jake Weber.
PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Ellen Bartelli, Doyle Ehl, Amy Klein, Todd Lincoln, Carolyn Mason, Amae Merrill, Mark Norman, Caroline Sundquist, and Gloria Valencia.
ELDERS: Doug Bernd, Aaron Dalan, Michele Elledge, Ana Lucas-Garcia, Larry Hasen, Shane Merrill, Joe Park, Robin Stuber, and Dennis Whitcher; Clerk Jeff Arkills.
DEACONS: Brian and Stephanie Ahlgren, Patty Arkills, Jeanne Breeding, Todd and Terri Buchanan, Janet Doty, Dave Geho, Edith Figueroa-Gonzalez, Larry Handy, Todd Hunziker, Cal Jansen, Randy & Robbie Johnson, Ginger McIlvanie, Jean McKitrick, Jim & Marilyn Noel, Deb Russell, Jean Schiewe, Becky St. John, Peggy Steere, Bruce Whitmore, Diane Williams, and Kathy Zeigler.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Cathy Campbell, Janet Doty, Carla Kupp, Linda Mathews, and Jake Weber.
PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Ellen Bartelli, Doyle Ehl, Amy Klein, Todd Lincoln, Carolyn Mason, Amae Merrill, Mark Norman, Caroline Sundquist, and Gloria Valencia.
1 Corinthians 15.57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”